Cylinder, Valves and Regulator
Part 1: Cylinders for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)
Strategic Recommendations – IS 3196 (Part 1) (LPG Cylinders)
- Begin Licensing & Approvals Immediately
Submit plans to PESO and obtain the appropriate licences—Form E (filling) and/or Form F (storage)—ensuring your layout and safety distances match approved plans (Rule 47; Forms E/F conditions). - Consult Compliance Professionals (ERA)
Engage ERA to align IS 3196(1) design/marking with Rule 6/7 requirements, identification colours (Rule 8), and to prepare SOPs/HAZOP where needed before inspections. - Reach Out for Support
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Support for licence documentation, plan approvals, and testing station coordination per Rule 35/Schedule IV. - Track Rule References & Exemptions
Subscribe to ERA Newsletter for Keep procedures updated for filling ratios (Rule 46(2) / IS 3710) and possession exemptions for LPG (Rule 44), and maintain vigilance for any PESO circulars impacting LPG cylinder handling. - Ensure Marking, Testing & Records
Stamp all cylinder/valve markings correctly (Rule 6/7), comply with colour codes (Rule 8), and schedule periodic requalification per Rule 35. Maintain licence conditions/records exactly as prescribed in Forms E/F.
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | Welded low carbon steel gas cylinder exceeding 5 litre water capacity for low-pressure liquefiable gases — Part 1: Cylinders for Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) |
| Applicable Indian Standard (IS) No. | IS 3196 (Part 1) (refer BIS for latest revision year) |
| Title of Indian Standard | Welded low carbon steel gas cylinder exceeding 5 litre water capacity for low-pressure liquefiable gases — Part 1: Cylinders for LPG |
| Quality Control Order | Notified under Gas Cylinders Rules (GCR), not a BIS QCO. Primary instrument: Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016 via GSR 1081(E) (superseding GCR 2004). |
| Notification & Amendments | GSR 1081(E), 22 Nov 2016; draft issued as GSR 779(E), 13 Oct 2015; GCR 2016 came into force on publication and superseded GCR 2004. |
| Final Enforcement Date | 22 November 2016 (date of Gazette notification). |
| Objective & Scope | Legal control of manufacture, inspection, testing, filling, possession, storage and transport of gas cylinders; includes LPG cylinders complying with IS 3196(1). Key technical hooks: marking (Rule 6), valve marking (Rule 7), identification colours (Rule 8), periodic testing (Rule 35), filling ratio (Rule 46). |
| Products Covered | Cylinders for LPG exceeding 5 L water capacity as per IS 3196 (Part 1); cylinders, valves and LPG regulators otherwise governed by GCR 2016 (licensing Forms D/E/F). |
| Exemptions | No licence needed for possession of LPG up to 100 kg at a time for own use/sale from a dealer’s sales room; other general possession thresholds also provided (Rule 44). |
| Industries Impacted | LPG cylinder manufacturers, hot-repairers, valve/regulator makers, fillers, bottling plants, distributors, importers, testing stations, and large industrial LPG users. (Industry list mapped to licensing/testing duties under GCR.) |
| Mandatory Compliance | PESO licensing for filling/storage (Rules 43–47; Licences Form E and Form F), periodic testing per IS 15975/Schedule IV, markings per Rule 6, valve markings per Rule 7, colour coding per Rule 8, filling ratios for LPG per IS 3710/Rule 46(2). |
| Next Steps for Stakeholders | Obtain PESO plan approval & licence (Rule 47), ensure IS-conforming manufacture/marking, set up recognised testing or contract approved stations, implement SOPs/HAZOP where applicable. |
| Legal Framework Provision & Enforcement | Explosives Act, 1884; Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016 administered by PESO (Chief Controller/Controllers); licensing, inspection, and enforcement powers including cancellation. |
| Penalties for Non-Compliance | Licence cancellation and penal action as per Section 9B of the Explosives Act, 1884; non-conforming cylinders and contraventions attract prosecution. (See licence conditions references.) |
| Conclusion | IS 3196 (Part 1) LPG cylinders must meet IS requirements and comply with GCR 2016 for manufacture, marking, testing, filling, possession and storage; PESO licensing is mandatory except specific small-quantity possession exemptions. |
| References / Annexures | GSR 1081(E), 22-11-2016; GSR 779(E), 13-10-2015; Rules 6, 7, 8, 35, 43–47, Forms D/E/F, IS 3196(1), IS 15975, IS 3710 (as referenced in GCR). |
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Notification
The Gas Cylinders Rules, 2016 were notified via GSR 1081(E) on 22 November 2016, coming into force on publication, and superseded the Gas Cylinders Rules, 2004. The draft of these rules had earlier been published as GSR 779(E) on 13 October 2015.
Enforcement Timeline
Effective 22 November 2016 (date of Gazette publication). Compliance under the new Rules applies from that date.
Overview
GCR 2016 regulates design approval, manufacture, marking, testing, filling, possession, storage and transport of gas cylinders. For LPG cylinders under IS 3196 (Part 1), key operational controls include cylinder/valve markings (Rule 6/7), identification colours (Rule 8), periodic examination and hydrostatic testing (Rule 35/Schedule IV), and filling ratio limits (Rule 46(2) referencing IS 3710).
Objective & Scope
To ensure safe manufacture, handling and use of LPG cylinders, including accurate marking, approved valves/fittings, proper colour coding, periodic requalification and compliant filling/possession under licence.
Products Covered
Welded low carbon steel cylinders for LPG exceeding 5 L water capacity as per IS 3196 (Part 1), with associated valves/regulators and activities governed through licensing (Forms D/E/F).
Exemptions Provided
No licence required for certain small-quantity possession scenarios. For LPG, possession up to 100 kg at a time for own use/distribution/sale from an authorised dealer’s sales room is exempt from licensing (Rule 44 proviso for LPG).
Industries Impacted
Cylinder manufacturers/repairers, LPG bottling plants/fillers, distributors and dealers, importers, testing stations, valve/regulator manufacturers, and large industrial consumers storing LPG. (Mapped to licensing/test duties and forms under GCR.)
Mandatory Compliance Requirements
Obtain PESO approval/licences for filling (Form E) and storage (Form F) (Rules 43–47); ensure cylinder and valve markings (Rule 6/7) and identification colours (Rule 8); perform periodic testing per Rule 35/Schedule IV aligned to IS 15975; comply with filling ratio limits for LPG per IS 3710 under Rule 46(2).
Next Steps for Stakeholders
Secure PESO plan approval (Rule 47), file for licences, establish/testing through recognised stations, implement SOPs/HAZOP (for flammable/toxic contexts), and maintain records as per rule-bound formats and licence conditions.
Legal Provisions, Enforcement & Penalties
Administered under the Explosives Act, 1884 via GCR 2016 by PESO (Chief Controller/Controllers). Licences may be cancelled for contraventions and offences are punishable under Section 9B of the Act (noted on licence forms and conditions).
Conclusion
IS 3196 (Part 1) LPG cylinders are legally controlled under GCR 2016. Manufacturers, fillers, importers and sellers must meet IS design/marking/testing rules and hold valid PESO licences except where specific possession exemptions apply.
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